So what are the top 5 security features you can highlight that your home might have?

Keep in mind that if the home you are selling doesn’t have these features, it’s important to find a place in the house where the potential buyer may be able to place or install each item.

1. Security Alarms:

Be sure to point out any security alarms which may be installed in the home you’re showing. If the home doesn’t have one, scout around the house to find the easiest place to install the keypads and motion detectors.

Recommend a good monitoring company during your walk through as many monitoring companies will actually provide the system free of charge if you sign a monitoring agreement.

If you can, be willing to explain, how the particular model of security alarm works if it’s already installed. Make sure to refrain from actually entering the correct pin into the key pad as you don’t want to unknowingly share sensitive security information with strangers.

As it’s not unheard of for scam artists to visit open homes in order to gain information, which can help them break into a house at a later date.

2. Security Cameras:

If the house your sharing has security cameras installed, which are focused on a home’s drive way or front door, make sure to point them out to your guests as high grade security cameras, usually cost upwards of $1000.

Most potential buyers will be interested in a home which offers live security footage of their gate and front door, as they’ll be able to see whose driving up their driveway, or knocking on their door, before they open their door. It’s a huge cost savings if they are pre-installed.

As a bonus, some security cameras can be linked with an application on a home owner’s smart phone. So that a home owner can check on their property whilst they’re in the office or on vacation overseas.

If your listing doesn’t have one, be sure to advise your buyer the appropriate possible locations for an install if it’s a feature your buyer is interested in.

3. Windows ( security screens and latches):

If the house or apartment, which you’re showing potential buyers is located in an urban as opposed to a suburban area, you may want to consider pointing out any security latches which may be found on the house’s windows.

Fortunately these features are pretty standard and usually make a good selling point even if the latches or locks are basic.

As, it’s not uncommon for burglars to break through a window, instead of trying to enter a house, through the front door.

If the house you’re showing has security screens installed, you may also want to point them out to your potential buyers as they are a great safety feature.

4. Motion Activated Outdoor Lights:

Another feature you may wish to point out or recommend to your clients are outdoor lights which are motion activated and will automatically turn on, the second someone steps foot onto the property.

Whilst relatively inexpensive, automatic likes are an effective deterrent as they draw attention to your property.

A potential burglar, is likely to flee, rather than to try to break into a house, if they realize that they’re in full view of the house’s neighbors.

5. A Security Safe:

Something a lot of potential buyers overlook is how handy it is to own a security safe. It’s extremely efficient to keep valuables and personal information locked up without worrying about the losses incurred during a burglary or a fire.

Whether it’s a security safe that’s built into a wall, or a Gun safe that can be anchored to the ground, both can be used to keep valuables locked up.

It’s important to know your buyer in this regard too.

Conclusion:

Now, you’re aware of the importance of highlighting home security during a home tour, you’ll be far more likely to attract offers from potential buyers than if you were to conduct a house tour, without mentioning home security.

Real estate agents work in one of the most competitive environments in business. As your mentor has probably taught you, the competition is cutthroat, the market is flooded and rivals are unrelenting.

You could be the best agent that ever lived, but one of the realities of this business is that you will always miss a sale. There are those that will get away.

It does not matter if it is your fault or you are just unlucky, the bottom line is that a lost sale, is a lost sale. At times, you could put out the best pitch there is in real estate, but still fail to sell. The sad part is that all your efforts will count for nothing if you cannot wrap up everything. Below are guidelines for focusing on closing the sale.

Put everything down on paper

When you are talking to the prospect, they will feign interest even when bored and itching to say no. You need to understand that as human beings, we get bored really easily and informal conversations tend to fizzle out when we lose focus. We also find it hard to conceptualize abstract concepts. You therefore need to put down everything to captivate the prospect. Put down some figures and break it down for them. Show them the reason you think they are going to benefit from the sale. Use charts and point out the benefits of making a decision in the affirmative.

Be clear with your communication

Prospective buyers will find it hard to seal a deal with an agent who acts shady and evasive. You will need to put all cards on the table. Double speak will only hurt your image and sending mixed signals can be both confusing and outright off-putting to your client. Always say the truth. Do not promise things you cannot do. Do not focus too much on figures that have no truth in them. Keep it true throughout. The client will find your honesty refreshing. Over time, the image of real estate agents has taken a continuous public battering, and you do not want to fall right into the stereotypical notions that bedevil the industry. [Read more…]

When it comes to real estate investments, one of the most important, and overly repeated phrases that everyone will tell you is that, finding a mentor is crucial.

For one, it’s the biggest advantages you can have, because someone will guide you all throughout the early stages, show you how the trade is done, and an experienced mentor will help you find the best deals and connections, allowing you to make the most of your investments. Likewise, it has been said that almost every successful investor once had a mentor at some point in their lives, and everyone who’s trying to get their operation off the ground should be in search of one.

Also, for those who are new in the business, there’s nothing to be ashamed of, because every successful investor have started as an inexperienced beginner in the real estate. However, most of these investors also asked for help– they relied on mentors when they first started. That’s how they managed to stay on the right track.

Thus, a mentor isn’t a necessity, but an essential tool in the early stages of an investing career. With that, here are some of the useful tips that will guide you in finding a mentor in real estate. Read on.

A Mentor Should Have a Successful Track Record:

When it comes to finding a mentor in real estate, it’s important to look for one that will be willing to listen and teach you everything you need to know. This will give you a guarantee that you’re going to develop a healthy working relationship with him, because you’ll be in a fit position.

Likewise, the mentor should also have an outstanding record of guiding the investors obtain what they’ve previously invested. More importantly, aside from being professional, the mentor should also be devoted to helping you gain what you have invested– not just a fly-by-night “professional” who’s trying to get your hard earned cash. [Read more…]